Atlanta Falcons: Previewing NFC North divisional opponents
By Deen Worley
Record since 2010: (3-1)
Key losses: Damon Harrison, Darius Slay,
Key additions: Desmond Trufant, Jamie Collins, Chase Daniels
Last matchup: Week 3, 2017 – Falcons – 30 Lions – 26
The history between the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions is a tale of two halves. The recent success against the Lions has really done a great job at masking the long losing streaks against Detroit before the turn of the millennium. Prior to the 2000 season, the Falcons boasted a poor 7-20 record against the Lions. The first victory against Detroit didn’t come until the 10th matchup, 11 years after the inception of the Atlanta Falcons.
At first glance, the 3-12-1 record for Detroit would be grounds to assume an easy victory in 2020. However, this team faltered hard after the loss of franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford midway through the season. Poor officiating and blown leads prevented the Lions from sitting at 6-2 before Stafford ended his season short.
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Poor officiating also cost the Lions a win against Atlanta in 2017. After the officials incorrectly called a touchdown on the field with under 10 seconds left in the game, they were required by rule to run off the remaining time on the clock after the review because the Lions had no more timeouts, putting the Lions one yard short from victory.